• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the viral load dynamics in children with underlying malignancies diagnosed with symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This was a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of patients <19 years old with underlying hemato-oncologic malignancies that were diagnosed with their first symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 infection during March 1 to August 30, 2022. Review of electronic medical records and telephone surveys were undertaken to assess the clinical presentations and transmission route of the patients. Thresholds of negligible likelihood of infectious virus was defined as E gene reverse transcription (RT)-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value ≥25. Results: During the 6-month study period, a total of 43 children with 44 episodes of COVID-19 were included. Of the 44 episodes, the median age of the patients included was 8 years old (interquartile range [IQR], 4.9-10.5), and the most common underlying disease was acute lymphoid leukemia (n=30, 68.2%), followed by patients post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n=8, 18.2%). Majority of the patients had mild COVID-19 (n=32, 72.7%), and three patients (7.0%) had severe/critical COVID-19. Furthermore, 2.3% (n=1) died of COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. The largest percentage of the patients showed E gene RT-PCR Ct value ≥25 between 15-21 days (n=13, 39.4%), followed by 22-28 days (n=10, 30.3%). In 15.2% (n=5), E gene RT-PCR Ct value remained <25 beyond 28 days after initial positive PCR. Refractory malignancy status (β, 67.0; 95% confidence interval, 7.0-17.0; P=0.030) was significantly associated with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR <25. A patient with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR Ct value <25 was suspected to have infectivity shown by the transmission of the virus to his mother at day 86 after his initial positive test. Conclusions: Children that acquire symptomatic COVID-19 during refractory malignancy state are at a high risk for prolonged shedding warranting PCR-based transmission precautions in this cohort of patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.61 no.2
• /
• pp.101-112
• /
• 2023

Purpose. This retrospective study was to investigate the survival and complication rates of posterior single implant according to the implant diameters, lengths and position. Materials and methods. Patients who had been restored single implant prosthesis in the posterior area by the three prosthodontists in the department of prosthodontics, Daejeon dental hospital of Wonkwang university, in the period from February 2014 to May 2018 were selected for the study. A total of 505 patients with 697 implants were observed. The survival and complications of implants were investigated using electronic medical records and radiographs. Fixture diameters, lengths, position, patient's sex and age were assessed as possible factor affecting the survival and complications of implants. Results. 3-year cumulative survival rates of posterior single implants were 98.5% and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 94.4%. 5-year cumulative survival rates were higher in implants with diameter > 4.0 mm (97.0%) than implants with diameter ≤ 4.0 mm (89.5%), and in females (98.8%) than males (92.4%). There were statistically significant differences (P < .05). The mechanical complication rate was 20.1% and the biological complication rate was 4.7%. Complications occurred in order of abutment screw loosening (7.5%), decementation (6.3%), proximal contact loss (3.7%) and so on. Abutment screw loosening occurred more frequently in the lower molar region (10.5%), in males (9.5%) than females (5.1%), and in patients aged < 65 years (9.4%) than patients aged ≥ 65 years (5.1%). There were statistically significant differences (P < .05). Conclusion. The 5-year cumulative survival rates were higher in implants with diameter > 4.0 mm than implants with diameter ≤ 4.0 mm and in females than males. Abutment screw loosening which was the most commonly occurring complication occurred more frequently in the lower molar region, in males than females, and in patients aged < 65 years than patients aged ≥ 65 years. There were statistically significant differences.